been forced into the flesh trade. All the minor girls were sent to a rehabilitation centre. Almost all the prominent pimps were arrested, including the persons involved in trafficking. Every effort was made to nab the offenders in flesh trafficking and rescue innocent girls. Since the problem of prostitution has its moorings in poverty, efforts were being made to address the socio-economic problem. The assistance of NGOs and other Departments was also being taken in mitigating the menace. 6.280 Upon consideration of the report received from the Superintendent of Police, East Godavri, Kakinada, the Commission has directed him to submit an up-to-date report about the action taken for the rehabilitation of the victims of the flesh trade. The report is awaited. 35. Denial of Education to HIV Positive Children in Kerala (Case No. 143/11/2006-2007) 6.281 The Commission took suo motu cognizance of a news item that appeared in the 'Hindustan Times' dated 8 December 2006 about five HIV positive children in the 4-10 age group being thrown out of their school in Kottayam after parents of other children threatened to pull their children out of the school. The children were then shifted to an orphanage where their status was kept under wraps. But their trauma was further enhanced when newspapers splashed their photographs after their participation in a programme on World AIDS Day. They were then confined to their rooms in the orphanage. 6.282 The State Government sent a report stating therein that at present there are no such issues related to stigma and discrimination towards HIV infected students studying in the Mar Dionysius LP School, Pambadi, Kerala, and after the incident earnest and urgent steps have been taken to solve the problem and as a result of this, the management of the school has allowed the students in question to continue in the same school. The report further stated that two of the HIV infected children are still studying in the same school while the remaining three children sought transfer from the school for higher studies/family reunion/shifting of family. The Commission found the report to be satisfactory and closed the case. 36. Disappearance of Children in Gujarat (Case No. 756/6/2006-2007) 6.283 The Commission took suo motu cognizance of the news item captioned "3,000 missing children: number of staff in the Gujarat missing Cell : 2" which appeared in 'The Indian Express' dated 5 February 2007. As per the report, 1,054 children in the age group of 6 months to 18 years were reported missing from 2002 to 2005. The report further mentioned about the inadequacy of staff in the Missing Persons Cells in various cities in the State of Gujarat. In response, the Commission received reports from the Additional Director General of Police, and the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Mahila Cell), CID, Crime & Railways, Gujarat. Upon consideration of the reports, the Commission found them to be satisfactory and observed that the Government of Gujarat was taking adequate steps in tracing missing children and it hoped that consistent efforts shall be made by the State Police to further improve the situation. With these observations, the Commission closed the case. National Human Rights Commission 87